Choosing Better Roofing

When something breaks on your home, you might be tempted to find the cheapest alternative instead of investing massive amounts of money. However, sometimes the more expensive choice is the better one. A few years ago, I realized that we needed a new roof. After doing a little research, I chose inexpensive shingles and nails. After the new products were installed, I could tell that there was a problem. Fortunately, a roofer friend of mine spotted the trouble and helped me to repair my home. This blog is all about helping you to decode roofing materials, so that you can avoid problems down the road.

Seven Good Reasons to Choose Slate Roofing

Posted on:
9 December 2015

If you're in the market for a new roof, you've likely considered asphalt shingles and the popular metal roofing. However, there's one option you may not have considered: slate. Slate roofing has been around for several generations. In fact, it was the go-to roofing material at the turn of the 20th century. Mined from the earth, this durable, attractive roofing still offers a number of advantages to homeowners today.

Benefits of Choosing Slate Roofing

1. Beauty. Since slate is naturally-formed, not machine manufactured, it has a unique natural beauty, and no two tiles are exactly alike. This look will give a sleek, elegant look to any style home.

2. Durability. It's not unusual for a slate roof to last 100 years or more. That compares with an average lifespan of 15 to 30 years for an asphalt shingle roof. While slate is initially considerably more expensive than asphalt shingles, a slate roof is the last roof you'll ever have to buy. Many slate roofing manufacturers even offer 100 year warranties.

3. Water-Resistant. Water slides right off of slate, unlike other roofing materials that can get saturated with rain water and melting snow. With a slate roof, you won't have to worry about water seeping in through the tiles or mold forming on the surface.

4. Insect-Resistant. Insects, such as termites and ants, that are attracted to wood shingles and other types of roofing aren't interested in slate.

5. Fire-Resistant. Slate doesn't burn like other types of roofing material do. A slate roof can help to give you precious extra minutes for you and your family to escape your home in the event of a fire.

6. Low Maintenance. Since slate is water-resistant and insect-resistant, it requires very little maintenance to keep it looking its best for years and years to come. Slate is also resistant to hail stones, a common cause of damage to wood, metal and asphalt roofs.

7. Environmentally Friendly. Because a slate roof lasts approximately three to four times as long as an asphalt shingle roof, opting for slate helps to prevent a mountain of used shingles ending up in America's landfills. It also reduces that amount of carbon emissions necessary to produce the roofing.

While slate roofing may not be the right choice for every homeowner, this traditional, attractive roofing is long-lasting, impervious to water and gives your home a unique, natural beauty. If you're thinking of updating your roof, consider contacting local roofing specialists, such as Three Rivers Roofing, to discuss your questions and concerns.